Signal-recording mechanism.



No. 781,048. PATBNTED JAN. 31, 1905. A. E. COLGATE. SIGNAL RECORDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9,1896.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 781,048. PATENTED JAN. 31, 1905. A. E. OOLGATE.

SIGNAL RECORDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 9,1896.

\ 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 781,048. PATENTED JAN. 31, 1905.

A. E. GOLGrATB.v SIGNAL RECORDING MECHANISM.

.APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 9,1896.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

wt n aimed I I 14 oemiioz o M 351 44) aftomuza /J- UNITED STATES Patented January 31, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR E. OOLGATE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE SIGNAL AND CONTROL COMPANY, OF BROOKLYN, NEIV YORK, A CORPORA- TION OF l V EST VIRGINIA.

SIGNAL-RECORDING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 781,048, dated January 31, 1905.

Application filed November 9, 1896. Serial No. 611,448.

To all whom zit Huey concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR E. IoLeA'rE, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Signal-Recording Mechan ism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to mechanism for recording signals, and more particularly the blast of a whistle.

In carrying my invention into effect I employ a clock having a time-stamp mechanism, which is actuated each time the whistle gives a signal, whereby the time of giving the signal is recorded upon a paper tape or other recording surface. 1 also employ a feeding mechanism for feeding forward the paper tape before or after each impression. A sigrial-recorder of this general type controlled by air-pressure is shown in Letters Patent No. 579,221, issued March 23, 1897, upon an earlier application filed by me, and my present invention is a modification of that signal-recorder.

The main object of this invention is to provide a recorder in which the time-stamp mechanism and the paper-feeding mechanism are operated by one actuating device and which device may be operated either manually or by means of air-pressure.

In carrying my invention into effect I preferably employ devices similar to those described in the patent above referred to.

The accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention, show in Figure 1 a front elevation and partial section of a clock provided with a time-stamp mechanism. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus, showing the mechanism for feeding forward the paper tape. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, showing in side elevation the clock and the time-stamp mechanism. Fig.

4 is a detail view of a valve employed with the preferred form of actuator for the timestamp and feeding mechanism; Fig. 5, a detail view of an electromagnet for controlling the valve of Fig. at; and Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are diagrammatic views showing three different ways for controlling and operating the signaling device and recording mechanism.

Referring now to Figs. 6. 7, and 8, A is the signaling device, which in this instance is a steam-whistle, and B is the controlling-valve. In Fig. 6 the valve is controlled by an electromagnet b and in Figs. 7 and 8 by the ordinary nianually-operated lever b. O is the actuating-lever for operating the time-stamp and paper-feeding mechanism. In Figs. 6 and '7 this lever is actuated by an air-pressure device comprising a chamber D, a diaphragm (Z, and a connection (1 between the diaphragm and lever O, which connection is preferably a chain or cord. The diaphragm is depressed by the external air-pressure to actuate lever C upon the production of a vacuum within the chamber 1). The vacuum is produced by the exhaust-pipe 0, leading to the exhaust-nozzle E, which is connected with the steam-pipe 0/ above the valve B, so that upon the opening of the valve to admit steam to the whistle steam will escape through the nozzle and draw the air from chamber D, as will be well understood. In order to obtain a quick relief of the diaphragm and insure a rapid return of the mechanism to normal position after each operation, I provide a valve F for admitting air to the chamber D after each blast of the whistle; otherwise the return of the diaphragm might be too slow to insure the proper action of the recording mechanism for rapid successive blasts of the whistle. This valve is connected to chamber D by a pipe 7" and is normally open. \Vhen the whistle is operated, the valve F must be closed, so that a vacuum can be obtained in chamber D, and for this purpose I provide an electromagnet G, which when energized closes the valve through the attraction of its armature. In Fig. 6 the magnet G is in series with the magnet 7), and upon the closing of the circuit 1 2 by means of a key K or other circuit-controller the magnets are energized, the magnet b causing the opening of the valve B to admit steam to the whistle and magnet Gr causing the closure of the valve F to prevent the entrance of air to the chamber D. The instant the circuit is opened at key K magnets b and (Jr become deenergized and valves B and F resume their normal positions, the latter opening to admit air to the under side of diaphragm (Z, whereby said diaphragm and the mechanism actuated by it resume their normal positions. In Fig. 7. where the valve B is operated manually, I insert a controller between the two lengths R and R of the operatingrope to control the circuit to the magnet Ur. This controller comprises a metal frame in, to which the length R of the rope is attached, a sliding rod 71, to which the length R of the rope is attached, and a contact-spring h, which is insulated from the frame 71:. The circuitwires 1 2 are connected to the frame 7': and spring k respectively. The rod 71: carries a head if, which when the rope is pulled is drawn into contact with the spring 71 to close the circuit, and as the head reaches the limit of its movement the pull on the rope R is imparted to rope R. Thus the valves B and Fare almost simultaneously opened and closed, respectively, as in the arrangement of Fig. 6, and when the pull on the rope is relaxed the circuit to the magnet F is opened by the return movement of the red I" by means of spring k. In Fig. 8 the lever I) and the lever (1 are both manually operated by means of the ropes It, It, and R the ropes R and R passing over suitable sh'eaves '1'.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, H is the clock, and H is the hammer of the time-stamp. The hammer is carried by a lever H pivoted near its end on a spindle h. A spring It is coiled around this spindle, Fig. 1, one end being attached to the bearing of the spindle and the other end to the lever H so that when the lever is raised the spring. is placed under tension. The lever H is raised by means of a lever H, which carries a pivoted book 72/. engaging with a pin /L3 on lever II. Aspring h is connected between the shank of the hook and a finger h on the free end of the lever ll", the object of the spring being to cause the engagement of the hook 713* with the pin h. The

rear end of lever H projects under the upper end of actuating-lever C, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and when lever G is drawn downward through the agency of diaphragm (Z and connection d or the hand-pull R of Fig. 8 lever H is tilted, its forward end rising and through hook 7L2 raises hammer H against the tension of spring 71/. To produce an impression upon the paper tape I by a blow from the hammer, the levers H and H" are disengaged by the tripping of the hook 72. This is done by the end a of the hook striking the adjustable stop 7/. When released, the lever H is thrown downward by means of the spring 72/, causing the hammer to drive the tape I against the character-wheels (not shown) to produce an impres sion upon the tape. hen the pull on the lever C is'relaxed, the spring A" returns lever H to its normal position, and the hook 717 reengages the lever H The mechanism just described is mounted directly upon the clock.

The mechanism for feeding the paper tape I is mounted upon the partition J. The feeding device, which maybe of any suitable construction. (the form illustrated in my Patent No. 579,221. above referred to, being preferred,) is shown at L, Fig 2, and is operated by the lever 0 through a lifting-rod M, a pivoted lever N, and a connecting-rod O. The lifting-rod works within a box m secured to the partition J, and at the upper end it is provided with two pins m, between which extend the prongs c, projecting from the end of the lever C, the lever projecting through a hole 0 in the partition. A spring m within the box m is provided to force the rod M downward after being raised by the lever C. The lower end of the rod has a head which is recessed, as shown by the dotted curved line nf, and at which point a pin m" passes through the head. A hook n engages with pin m", and this hook is carried by a shank w, pivoted at the end of the lever N, and a spring a is pro vided to throw the hook into engagement with the pin m The shank of the hook is provided with a finger n, which engages with the adjustable stop 71? to disengage the lifting-rod M and lever N after each feeding movement, which permits spring Z to return the feeding device to its normal position independently of the return movements of the liftinga'od and lever C. When the lifting-rod M descends after the pull on lever C is relaxed, the head on the lower end of the rod tilts hook n, and when the rod reaches the limit of its move ment spring n3 moves the hook into engagement with pin in," and the feeding mechanism will then be in position for the next operation.

In the form shown in Fig. 4: the air-valve for the vacuum-chamber D comprises a c vlinder f and a normally spring-opened valve f. The valve is carried by a plate f, which has a slot f, through which a retaining-pin 7 passes. Between the pin f" and a pin f on plate f is seated a spring f", which opens the valve. The valve is controlled by the L- shaped lever g, which carries the arniature (/I of the magnet G. This lever is pivoted be tween the U-shaped plates l? by an arbor 7), and a spring 7) is connected with the arbor to raise the lever when the magnet is demagnetized. The magnet is carried between plates P by a plate and the valve F is carried by a plate 19 What I claim is 1. The combination with a whistle and its valve, of a blast-recorder con'iprising a time stamp mechanism, a paper-feeding mechanism, a lever for operating both the time-stamp and the paper-feeding mechanisms, a pneumatically-operated device for ope 'ating said lever, means for producing a vacuum in the chamber of said device upon the opening of the whistle-valve and means for admitting air into the chamber upon the closing of the whistle-valve, substantially as set forth. I

2. The combination with a whistle and its valve, of a blast-recorder comprising a timestamp mechanism, a paper-feeding mechanism, a lever for operating both the timestamp and the paper-feeding mechanisms, an airchamber having a diaphragm connected with said lever, and means for producing a vacuum in said chamber upon the opening of the whistle-valve, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a whistle and its valve, of a blast-recorder comprising a timestamp mechanism, a paper-feeding mechanism, a single actuating device for operating both the time-stamp and the paper-feeding mechanism, an air-chamber having a movable device connected with said actuating device, an exhaust-nozzle connected with said chamber, and a connection between said nozzle and the Whistle-pipe whereby the escape of pressure through said nozzle will exhaust'the air from said chamber, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with a whistle and its valve, of a blast-recorder comprising a timestamp mechanism,- a paper-feeding mechanism, a single actuating device for operating both the timestamp and the paper-feeding mechanism, an air-chamber having a movable device connected with said actuating device, an exhaust-nozzle connected with said chamber, a connection between said nozzle and the whistle pipe whereby escape of pressure through said nozzle will exhaust the air from said chamber, and a valve for controlling the admission of air to said chamber, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with a Whistle and its valve, of a blast-recorder comprising a timestamp mechanism, a paper-feeding mechanism, a single actuating device for operating both the time-stamp and the paper-feeding mechanism, an air-chamber having a movable device connected with said actuating device, an exhaust-nozzle connected with said chamber, a connection between said nozzle and the whistle-pipe whereby the escape of pressure through said nozzle will exhaust the air from said chamber, a valve for controlling the admission of air to said chamber, separate means for actuating said last-named valve and the whistle-valve, and a single device for controlling said valve-operators, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with a whistle, of a blast-recorder comprising a time-stamp mechanism, a paper-feeding mechanism, a single actuating device for operating both the timestamp and the paper-feeding mechanism, an electrically-controlled valve for controlling the passage of pressure to the Whistle, and means actuated by air-pressure for operating the single actuating device upon the production of a vacuum through the escape of pressure with each blast of the whistle, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with a whistle, of a blast-recorder comprising a timestamp mechanism, a paper-feeding mechanism, means for operating the time-stamp and the paper-feeding mechanism, an air-chamber having a movable device connected with said actuating means, an exhaust-nozzle connected with said chamber, a connection between said nozzle and the whistle-pipe, whereby the escape of pressure through said nozzle will exhaust the air from said chamber, an electrically-controlled valve for controlling the flow of pressure to the whistle and said nozzle, an electrically-controlled valve for controlling the entrance of air to the air-chamber, and a circuit-controller for controlling the electricallyoperated valves, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with a whistle and its valve, of a blast-recorder comprising a timestamp having a hammer for producing an impression on a recording-surface, a lever for raising said hammer, an actuating-lever for operating the first-named lever, a tripping device for disengaging the first-named lever from the hammer when elevated, a spring for throwing said hammer toward the characterwheels of the time-stamp, means actuated by air-pressure for operating said levers, said means operating upon the production of a vacuum, and a chamber having a pipe leading to an exhaust-nozzle on the whistlepipe, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with a whistle and its valve, of a blast-recorder comprising a timestamp having a hammer for producing an impression on a recording-surface, a feeding mechanism for feeding said recording-surface, a lever for operating said feeding mechanism, a lifting-rod through which said lever is operated, a tripping device for disengaging said rod from said lever, means for returning the feeding device to its normal position, means actuated by air-pressure for operating said levers, said means operating upon the production of a vacuum, and a chamber having a pipe leading to an exhaust-nozzle on the whistle-pipe, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination with a whistle and its valve, of a blast-recorder comprising a timestamp having a hammer for producing an impression on a recording-surface, a lever for raising said hammer, a feeding mechanism for feeding the recording-surface, a lever for operating said feeding mechanism, a lifting-rod through which said lever is operated, an actuatinglever for operatingv the lever which raises the hammer and for elevating the lifting-rod of the paper-feeding mechanism, a tripping device for disengaging the hammer from itselcvating-lever, a spring for driving IIO said hammer against the recording-surface, a pipe leading to an exhaust-nozzle on the Whistripping device for disengaging the liftingtlepipe, substantially as set forth. 1O rod from the lever of the feeding mechanism, This specification signed and witnessed this and a spring for returning the feeding meeh- 6th da,\ of November, 1896.

anism to its normal position, means actuated ARTHUR E. UOLG-ATE.

by air-pressure for operating said aetuatinglNitnesses:

lever, said means operating upon the produe- \V. PELZER,

tion of a vacuum, and a chamber having a EUGENE CoNRAN. 

